Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Matt Carthy TD called on the government to put in place a plan to end the unfair Accommodation Recognition payment (ARP) for Ukrainians when the current scheme expires on 31st March.

Deputy Carthy said the payment was distorting the rental sector putting ordinary renters at a severe disadvantage when trying to secure rental accommodation in their home areas when landlords can get €800 tax free under the ARP scheme.

Speaking in the Dáil today, Teachta Carthy said

“The government must put in place a plan to end the unfair Accommodation Recognition payment (ARP) for Ukrainians when the current scheme expires on 31st March. The scheme provides a tax free €800 per month payment for accommodation Ukrainians in Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive.

“The Accommodation Recognition Payment scheme for Ukrainians is creating serious problems of unfairness in the private rented sector, as Sinn Féin had predicted.

“In many areas, including my own constituency, where rents have traditionally been lower than in the large urban centres, it is placing families and those seeking to rent private accommodation at a severe disadvantage because landlords are able to get €800 tax free from the state, which is equivalent to €1,600 rent from any other tenant which is taxable.

“The end result of this is that people cannot find places to rent in their own home towns. This issue is a growing problem in towns in many parts of rural constituencies in particular, and is creating a tension that we, quite frankly, could do without.

“Sinn Féin has called for the ending of the Accommodation Recognition Payment because of the severe problems that it is creating. I look forward to an early pronouncement from the Minister and the government on how they intend to move forward as the scheme is due to lapse in a number of weeks unless it is again extended by government.

“Given the Common Travel Area and the plans by the British Government to cut payments under its comparable Homes for Ukrainian Scheme from £500 to £350 it is urgent that we deal with this matter. I urge the Minister to address this issue without delay and to also set out what preparations he is undertaking for the ending of the Temporary Protection Directive next year.”

ENDS